Federal prosecutors have been seeking to limit defendants’ rights to win compassionate release from prison in plea negotiations across the country, a practice that advocates say undermines the intent of Congress and produces cruel outcomes.
Two advocacy groups — Families Against Mandatory Minimums and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers — asked Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco on Tuesday to prohibit U.S. attorneys from including the “pernicious” language in plea agreements.
In a copy of their letter exclusively provided to NPR, the groups said at least six jurisdictions around the…
